So let's pick-up where I left-off some time ago, this week I finally received the 2 tools in the cross-stringer kit.
The first surprise is that these are really high quality precision instruments, not molded aluminium like the MK1, these have been machined out of a solid block. They are very impressive.
I have strung up a couple of sticks, using the HD (High Density) for one and using the LD (Low Density) bfor the other. In both cases the tools were very easy to use and amazingly efficient.
I will add to this thread to give some interesting details, a little patience please.
Later,
JB
Hi y'all,
The first point that I wanted to make is that the original MK1 cross-stringer was conceived about 20 years ago and it had 2 string-density settings using the same tool but with 2 different combs :
> 1 for string patterns in wooden frames (tight : HD)
> 1 for the Prince O/S frames in aluminum. (open : LD)
The problem with this tool was that the combs were not always well adapted to the string patterns generally found in most racquets today.
So the real challenge for Stringway was to develop a more versatile tool, well adapted to our needs. They have opted to make 2 modèles :
> the MK2 HD (high density string patterns)
> the MK2 LD (low density string patterns)
and both tools are necessary if you want to make the most of this concept.
I insist on this because I have just strung up 2 different Dunlop frames :
> an Aerogel 200 95 sq.in. with a 16/19 with dense string pattern
> an Aerogel 400 100 sq.in. with a 16/19 with a more open string pattern
and it became quickly evident that despite the fact that these 2 frames are almost the same size and that they have the same number of mains and crosses,
each frame required the approprate cross-stringer, the HD for the Aerogel 200 and the LD for the Aerogel 400.
This is why I advise you to take the kit of both tools, not just one or the other, because you will not be able to string the majority of the tennis racquets with just one cross-stringer.
This leads me to another important point, there have been several posts either complaining about the prices or joking about the real interest of this remarkable invention :
> firstly, the price is quite high, especially for the kit of 2 cross-stringers, but there is incredible value for money once you have these tools in hand.
> secondly, these tools are going to change the way we are going to string tennis racquets in the future.
Seeing is believing, stringing with them a couple of times will illiminate any doubts you can have about the success that these tools will enjoy. Once you get the knack of it, you just don't want to go back to your usual way of stringing. Just ask your fingers after 3 or 4 sticks, no way back . . .
These tools make stringing crosses amazingly easy, it's a lay back way to work, whether you string polys, rough or textured monos, natural gut and even rubbery multis, all can be woven into place quickly, with little effort, and requiring a minimum of attention. It's probably not fool-proof, but any stringer, even a beginner can learn to string the crosses efficiently after a couple of racquets.
I sincerely believe that the Stringway cross-stringers are a milestone in the tennis stringer's world, they are really going to change things permanently. It will take time to pick up momentum, but once it takes off, everyone and his dog will want to string with these things, no matter how expensive some of you think they are, because the service they render largely outweighs their cost, in my opinion they pay for themselves with-in a couple of months at the most . . .
I will update in a week or so, once I really get into the habit of using these tools. The first impression is extremely positive, I can't wait to get on top of this concept, I'm sure that they are even better than I had imagined.:idea:
JB.
